7 Oct 2024
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Kath Bee - Album Review: Simple Action Songs for Babies to 2yrs for Learning & Fun

07 Aug 2024 // A review by Hope Milo

Kath Bee’s Simple Action Songs for Babies to 2 yrs for Learning & Fun offers an engaging and educational experience designed specifically for the youngest of listeners. It's clear that Bee has a real talent for creating interactive music that captures the attention and imagination of toddlers.

Hello to You (I Can Wave My Hand) opens the album with a fun bass line that drives the song forward, with gentle guitar strumming that sets a fun and inviting tone. Bee’s engaging voice leads the way, encouraging little ones to wave their hands along with her. This track effectively uses calls to action to create an interactive listening experience right from the start.

Wiggle and Tickle Your Toes, which features light ukulele strums paired with lyrics like, “Wiggle your toes… Now do this! Tickle your toes!” make the song playful and easy to follow, leading into the next song. Where’s Your Nose? then introduces a walking bass that adds a fuller sound to the album. The use of squeaky toys and other sound effects continues to keep little ones engaged. Special mention to the final lyric, “Where’s your nose?” that got my baby cousin to face-palm himself in the nose and let out the cutest giggle.

In Stand Up, Bee uses a range of fun percussion instruments and syncopated guitar strums to create a rhythm that encourages movement. This track is lively and upbeat, providing a perfect opportunity for toddlers to practice standing up and engaging with the music – and even the opportunity for parents to plop the little ones in front of the TV to dance while getting some chores done.

I Can Clap My Hands brings back the ukulele and introduces rhythmic claps that encourage children to mimic Bee's actions. This song effectively combines rhythmic elements with interactive lyrics, creating a track that is both enjoyable and instructional. Walk, Tiptoe, Stomp does something similar. The drastic changes between the song’s simple walking bass, whispered “tiptoe” section, and loud, heavy percussion during the “stomping” segment keep the song engaging and fun. This track is a great way to get kids moving around and exploring different movements.

Jump, Jump, Jump, Jump has a simple yet effective arrangement of ukulele and horns, with added percussion like tambourine to inspire jumping – perfect for high-energy play. Next, Spin Around brings a 6/8 waltz feel, which is a nice change from the more straightforward rhythms of previous tracks. Bee’s playful voice commands to “Spin around… Change direction!” add a fun, directive element that your children will enjoy just as much as my little cousins did.

The album’s climax is found in Let’s Dance, which has a disco techno vibe that is as fun and danceable for parents as it is for kids. The enthusiastic opening and high-pitched harmony use Bee’s vocal range to create a lively and memorable dance track.

Sit Down cleverly mirrors the earlier track Stand Up both lyrically and sonically, guiding children’s energy back down with a smooth transition to the album’s final track. It’s Time to Say Goodbye closes the album on a soothing note with a calming guitar riff and gentle singing. This lullaby-like track, supported by simple shakers and soft instruments, provides a comforting end to the interactive listening experience.

Overall, Simple Action Songs for Babies to 2 yrs for Learning & Fun is a delightful and well-crafted album that combines engaging music with interactive elements designed to entertain and educate little ones. Kath Bee’s ability to create diverse and dynamic tracks makes this album a valuable addition to any family's children's music collection. I, for one, am definitely adding this one to my babysitting toolkit, and you should too.


Editors Note: Most of the instrumentation and all of the production on this album was created by Levity Beet.

 

About Kath Bee

Kath Bee has written some of NZ’s most loved children’s songs including Individuality, Dad I Wanna Be A Camel, Sprinkle A Little Sunshine and most recently the 2022 APRA NZ Best Children’s Song winner, E Tu Tangata - Stand Together which is making its way into every school across Aotearoa.

Kath is a multi-award-winning songwriter, with a career spanning over 20 years and has toured NZ extensively, performing everywhere from Primary Schools and libraries to Teddy Bears’ Picnics, Music Festivals and everywhere in between. She is also a published author of three picture books 'Dragons Under My Bed' 2017, 'Dougal the Dancing Kakapo' 2023 and 'I Can Co It!' 2024.

Kath was hand-picked to write songs for TVNZ’s Poppet Stars, commissioned to write songs for several organisations including E Tu Tangata, as well as individual schools and ECCs and most recently Sing Up in the UK. She has over 90 songs on online platforms and has around 90K unique monthly listeners on Spotify.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Kath Bee

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